ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Ministry of Power
Steps taken to Encourage Electric Cooking in Rural Areas
The Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy has informed that the following actions are being taken through State Designated Agencies , by Bureau of Energy Efficiency , a statutory Body under the Ministry of Power, to promote electric cooking in rural areas:
- Demonstration projects
- Awareness creation under “Go electric” campaign through capacity building seminars/ workshops, roadshows, electronic media etc.
Energy Efficiency Services Limited , a joint venture company of Public Sector Undertakings  under the Ministry of Power is dedicated to make clean cooking solutions more affordable for end beneficiaries and to promote their widespread adoption by employing the demand aggregation approach. EESL is preparing three distinct models to encourage the adoption of clean cooking solutions. The initial model involves introducing Induction Cook-Stoves in urban areas. In Tier-2 Cities and Semi-urban regions, the focus is on deploying Grid-connected Solar-based Induction Cook-Stoves. In rural areas, the plan is to introduce Solar-based Induction Cook-Stoves with battery storage.
With an aim to reduce dependency on LPG and to create an environmentally sustainable cooking solution, Indian Oil Corporation  has developed 3 models of solar based cooktop, namely, “Surya Nutan” which can be of great utility in rural areas against the backdrop of increasing LPG adoption and ensuing domestic availability in Indian market. To cater to exigency of need, all models have been equipped with hybridization option so that grid electricity can also be used for charging and cooking through Surya Nutan. IOC has empanelled 10 Indian vendors for manufacturing, marketing, installation & providing after sales service for commercial launch of the product.
Ministry of Power, through BEE, has also launched the voluntary Star Labelling programme for Induction Stove on 1st March 2023. The objective of this initiative is to encourage the adoption of Electric Cooking by promoting use of Energy Efficient Induction hob among the consumers.
This information has been given by the Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shri R. K. Singh, in a written reply to a question, in Rajya Sabha today, August 2, 2023.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
Shri J P Nadda assures all support to Kerala Government to manage Nipah Virus; Sends a multi-disciplinary Central team to investigate the outbreak
In view of the rising number of cases and reported deaths due to Nipah Virus in Kozhikode, Kerala, Shri J P Nadda, Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare has assured all support to the Kerala Government and has directed a multi-disciplinary Central team from National Centre for Disease Control to immediately visit the district, and assist the State and closely monitor the situation. The team will reach Kerala today.
“We are closely monitoring the situation. I have spoken to Shri Alphons and Smt K Shailaja, Health Minister, Kerala and assured them all support of the Central government. I have also dispatched a Central team to assist the State government and initiate required steps,” the Union Health Minister said in a statement from Geneva.
On the directions of the Health Minister, Smt. Preeti Sudan, Secretary  has also spoken to the Principal Health Secretary of Kerala and reviewed the situation.
The Central team includes Dr Sujeet K Singh, Director, National Centre for Disease Control, Dr S K Jain, Head Epidemiology, NCDC, Dr P Ravindran, Director, Emergency Medical Relief , Dr Naveen Gupta, Head Zoonosis, NCDC along with two clinicians and one expert from Ministry of Animal Husbandry.
Ministry of Coal
Coal Production from Captive & Commercial Coal Blocks Goes up By 58% in April-August 2022-23
37 Captive & Commercial Mines Under Production; 11 New Mines Likely to Start Production This Year
Coal production from coal blocks during April-August for the fiscal 2022-23 has been reviewed by the Additional Secretary & Nominated Authority, of the Ministry of Coal, in the presence of project proponents. Coal production achieved during April-August, 2022-23 is 43.93 million ton which is 57.74 % higher than 27.85 million ton coal produced during the same period 2021-22.
Two mines auctioned in 2021 under commercial auction reforms have become operational and produced 2.36 million ton coal in April-August, 2022-23. At present, 37 captive and commercial mines are under production and it is expected that at least 11 more new mines will start production during the year. This will significantly contribute to meet coal demand in the country.
The Ministry appreciated the efforts of coal blocks allocattees in attaining such high growth and hopeful that the target production of 141.78 million ton from these coal blocks during FY 2022-23 will be achieved.
At the same time, it was noted with concern that Parsa East & Kanta Basan coal block production has stopped and Parsa coal block production has not started. Continued stoppage may adversely impact achievement of target this year.
Further, during the review, project proponents shared the efforts made by them and the challenges faced. Ministry of Coal assured to extend all possible support in resolving the issues.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves Opening of 3 Indian Missions in Estonia, Paraguay and Dominican Republic
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today approved the opening of 3 Indian Missions in Estonia, Paraguay and Dominican Republic in 2021.
Implementation Strategy:
Opening of Indian Missions in these countries will help expand India’s diplomatic footprint, deepen political relations, enable growth of bilateral trade, investment and economic engagements, facilitate stronger people-to-people contacts, bolster political outreach in multilateral fora and help garner support for India’s foreign policy objectives.
Indian mission in these countries will also better assist the Indian community and protect their interests.
Objective:
The objective of our foreign policy is to build a conducive environment for India’s growth and development through partnerships with friendly countries. There are presently Missions and Posts across the world which serve as conduits of our relations with partner countries.
The decision to open these 3 new Indian Missions is a forward-looking step in pursuit of our national priority of growth and development or ‘Sabka Saath Sabka Vikas’. Enhancement of India’s diplomatic presence will, inter-alia, provide market access for Indian companies and bolster Indian exports of goods and services. This would have a direct impact in augmenting domestic production and employment in line with our goal of a self-reliant India or ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’.
President's Secretariat
President of India to Visit Karnataka and Goa From June 13 To 15
The President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind will visit Karnataka and Goa from June 13 to 15, 2022.
On June 13, 2022, the President will grace the Platinum Jubilee Celebrations of Rashtriya Military School, Bengaluru.
On June 14, 2022, the President will grace the Lokarpana ceremony of Sri Rajadhiraja Govinda Temple at Vaikuntha Hill, Vasanthapura, Bengaluru.
On June 15, 2022, the President will lay the foundation stone for the new Raj Bhavan of Goa, before returning to Delhi.
Ministry of Finance
GST Revenue collection for April, 2019 recorded highest collection since GST implementation
The total gross GST revenue collected in the month of April, 2019 is Rs 1,13,865 crore of which CGST is Rs 21,163 crore, SGST is Rs 28,801 crore, IGST is Rs 54,733 crore  and Cess is Rs 9,168 crore . The total number of GSTR 3B Returns filed for the month of March up to 30th April, 2019 is 72.13 lakh.
2. The government has settled Rs 20,370 crore to CGST and Rs 15,975 crore to SGST from IGST as regular settlement. Further, Rs 12,000 crore has been settled from the balance IGST available with the Centre on provisional basis in the ratio of 50:50 between Centre and States. The total revenue earned by Central Government and the State Governments after regular and provisional settlement in the month of April, 2019 is Rs 47,533 crore for CGST and Rs 50,776 crore for the SGST.
3. The revenue in April, 2018 was Rs 1,03,459 crore and the revenue during April, 2019 is a growth of 10.05% over the revenue in the same month last year. The revenue in April, 2019 is 16.05% higher than the monthly average of GST revenue in FY 2018-19 .
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Clarification on Media Reports regarding ‘Oil Ministry seeks windfall tax review’
There have been some media reports which states that ‘Oil Ministry seeks windfall tax review’. The reports, quoting Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas' letter of August, 2022 have stated that the Ministry has sought changes in the levy of Special Additional Excise Duty .
These reports are misleading. It is clarified that the levy of SAED from 1st July, 2022 was accompanied by Government’s announcement of a mechanism of fortnightly review. Six such reviews have already taken place since the levy of SAED. In the meanwhile, from time to time, Government has received representations and requests for clarifications in respect of modalities of levy, rates, determination of liability, etc. These necessitate consultations as well as exchange of information between different Ministries of Government including the Ministry of Finance and Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas. Such consultations are an on-going process and are used to inform successive reviews.
Selective leakage of any such communication, including one which is six weeks old, without knowledge of context, background or communications made previously or thereafter gives a misleading impression and provides an incomplete picture. Such mischievous reporting is totally uncalled for and raises doubts about the motive behind such reporting.
By its very nature, SAED  represents a response to a dynamic situation. Recalibration is therefore required and the design provides for the same based on market inputs and feedback.
Crude oil prices have witnessed extreme volatility in 2022. This has resulted in very high prices for end consumers at petrol pumps. Countries around the world have implemented various measures to mitigate the adverse impacts on consumers. “Windfall tax” is one of the measures which helps in dealing with the situation. The extent of its applicability, reference period, amount of cess/ tax/ duty, incidence of tax liability, mechanism for review are integral to such a tax.
Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Song by PadmaShri Kailash Kher to promote the vaccination drive across the country launched
An Audio-Visual Song by renowned singer PadmaShri Kailash Kher to promote the vaccination drive across the country, was launched today by the Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Shri Hardeep Singh Puri and Health and Family Welfare Minister Shri Mansukh Mandaviya. Minister of State for Petroleum and Natural Gas Shri Rameswar Teli,, Secretary PNG Shri Tarun Kapoor, senior officers of the Ministry and Oil & Gas PSUs were also present in the event, which was in a hybrid mode. The song has been produced by the Oil & Gas PSUs.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Puri said that India is going to achieve the target of 100 crore vaccines next week. When the country went into the lockdown in March 2020, India was dependent on imports for PPE kits, ventilators and other requisite medical supplies but within a short period, we were able to manufacture all these things domestically, and now we are better equipped to face any eventuality. And this was possible due to contribution of one and all, and the visionary leadership of the Prime Minister. He said that it is a matter of great satisfaction that those tried to create the negative narrative failed, and the fight against the Covid took the shape of a people’s movement. He said that Virus is the enemy, and all joined hands to fight it. Shri Puri said that the Singers can capture the people’s imagination, and this song by Shri Kher will go in long way in dispelling the myths and creating awareness about the vaccination.
Shri Mandaviya said that over 97 crore vaccination has been given in the country. He said that the Government and the people reposed faith  in our scientists, researchers and medical fraternity in developing the indigenous vaccine. And then due to the efforts of all , we were able to undertake the herculean task of distributing the vaccines to every nook and corner of the country, and vaccinating such a large number in a short period.
Shri Kailash Kher said that music is not only the source of entertainment but also has the qualities of inspiring others. He said that India is a great nation with the world recognising its potential and achievements but there are certain misgivings which need to be addressed. He said that the moral support and awareness can be generated through inspirational songs. He expressed confidence that the song will go a long way in overcoming the myths and boost the vaccine’s acceptability.
Cabinet
Cabinet approves signing of MoU between India and Malta for strengthening cooperation in the field of Tourism
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has approved signing of the Memorandum of Understanding  between India and Malta for strengthening cooperation in the field of Tourism. The MoU will be signed during the upcoming visit of the Vice President to Malta.
Salient Features:
Main objectives of the MoU are:
-
- To encourage the quality destination of tourism industry in both countries;
- To increase tourist arrivals in both countries from the entire world through the territories of India and Malta;
- Promoting human resource development in tourism and travel-related industries in both countries;
- To contribute to a new tourism, offer, particularly through the promotion of natural and tangible, and intangible cultural heritage, the development of sustainable tourism and the use of information technologies; and
- To recognize that tourism is a means to foster relationship between peoples of the two countries.
Benefits:
This MoU will help the two parties in creating an institutional mechanism for enhancing cooperation in the tourism sector. It will also help India in increasing foreign tourist arrivals from Malta. This, in turn, will result in economic development and employment generation.
The MoU will create favourable conditions for long-term tourism cooperation for the mutual benefits of all stakeholders within the broader framework and areas of cooperation. It will also explore to incorporate the best practices in order to implement the measures that will realize its objectives.
IFSC Authority
IFSCA inks MoU with IRDAI
Shri Injeti Srinivas, Chairperson, International Financial Services Centers Authority  and Shri Debasish Panda, Chairperson, Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India , have today signed a MoU at IRDAI’s head office at Hyderabad.
This MoU focuses on strengthening of inter regulatory exchange of information, technical cooperation, supervisory collaboration and opens avenues towards developing innovative insurance solutions for the evolving global trends. It specifically enables mechanism for Inter Operable Regulatory Sandbox through FinTech Bridge to facilitate Indian InsurTech start-ups to explore foreign jurisdiction and vice versa.
The IFSCA is responsible for development and regulation of international financial services, including that of insurance sector, in the IFSC, which is treated as a separate international financial jurisdiction, distinct from rest of India. IFSCA aims to develop a strong global connect and focus on the needs of the Indian economy as well as to serve as an international financial platform at regional/ global level.
The IRDAI is, inter-alia entrusted with the responsibility of all round development and regulation of the insurance sector in the whole of India  and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto.
This MoU will enable coordination, cooperation and collaboration between the two regulators to attract global insurance industry players, including Indian insurance players seeking international markets to create and develop innovative insurance solutions for both India and the world, in a conducive environment.
President's Secretariat
President of India pays floral tributes to Shri V.V. Giri on his birth anniversary
The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu paid floral tributes to Shri V.V. Giri, former President of India, on his birth anniversary at Rashtrapati Bhavan today .
Cabinet
Cabinet approves Amendments in  the Constitution  Order, 1950 to modify the list of Scheduled Castes of the State of Odisha, and  the Constitution  Scheduled Castes Order, 1964 to change name of the Union Territory from Pondicherry to Puducherry in the Order
The Union Cabinet chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval for amendments in  the Constitution  Order, 1950 to modify the list of Scheduled Castes of the State of Odisha, and  the Constitution  Scheduled Castes Order, 1964 so as to change name of the Union Territory from Pondicherry to Puducherry in the Order. The Bill namely Constitution  Orders  Bill, 2017 incorporating the above changes will be introduced in the Parliament.
Proposal of Sualgiri, Swalgiri caste, as per approved Modalities, was found to be eligible for its inclusion as a synonym of Sabakhia caste at SI. No. 79 in the list of Scheduled Castes of Odisha. Further, the name of Union territory of Pondicherry has been changed to Puducherry vide the Pondicherry  Act, 2006 w.e.f. 01.10.2006. Accordingly, an amendment is needed in the Constitution  Scheduled Castes Order, 1964 to this effect.
The Government approved Modalities in June 1999, as amended in June 2002, for considering proposals in regard to modifications in the lists of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. According to the approved Modalities, amending legislation to the concerned Constitution Order is proposed only in respect of such proposals of the concerned State Government/Union Territory Administration, which have been agreed to both by the Registrar General of India  as well as the National Commission for Scheduled Castes .
The Constitution of India provides certain privileges / concessions to the members of Scheduled Castes which are notified under the provisions of Article 341 of the Constitution of India. First list of Scheduled Castes in relation to a State or Union Territory is to be issued by a notified Order of the President after having consultation with the State Government concerned. Any subsequent inclusion in or exclusion from the list of Scheduled Castes can be effected through an Act of Parliament as envisaged under clause  of Article 341.
Six Presidential Orders were issued between 1950 and 1978 for specifying Scheduled Castes in respect of various States/Union territories. These Orders have been amended from time to time by Acts of Parliament enacted as per Article 341 of the Constitution between 1956 and 2016.
After the Bill becomes an Act, members of the community included in the list of Scheduled Castes will be able to derive benefits meant for Scheduled Castes under the existing schemes. Some of the major schemes of this kind include Post Matric Scholarship, National Overseas Scholarship, Rajiv Gandhi National Fellowship, Top Class Education, Concessional Loans from National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation, Hostels for SC Boys and Girls etc. In addition to above, they are also entitled to the benefits of reservation in services and admission to educational institutions.
Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
COVID-19 Vaccination Update- Day 227
India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage crosses 64 Cr landmark milestone
More than 53 lakh Vaccine Doses administered today till 7 pm
In a significant achievement, India’s COVID-19 vaccination coverage has crossed 64 Crore landmark milestone today. More than 53 lakh  Vaccine Doses have been administered today, as per the 7 pm provisional report.Final reports would be completed for the day by late tonight.
As per the provisional 7 pm provisional report, India’s Cumulative COVID-19 Vaccination Coverage is 63.99 Cr . The cumulative coverage of vaccine doses, segregated based on population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
|
|
Cumulative Vaccine Dose Coverage
|
|
|
|
Healthcare workers
|
|
Frontline workers
|
|
People Aged 18-44 Years
|
|
People Aged 45-59 Years
|
|
People Aged ≥ 60 Years
|
|
Total
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
10357664
|
|
18320807
|
|
247136975
|
|
130107674
|
|
86576489
|
|
492499609
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
8369624
|
|
13136776
|
|
27224648
|
|
53983180
|
|
44687985
|
|
147402213
Today’s achievement in the vaccination exercise, segregated by population priority groups, is as follows:
|
|
|
|
Date: 30thAugust, 2021 
|
|
|
|
Healthcare workers
|
|
Frontline workers
|
|
People Aged 18-44 Years
|
|
People Aged 45-59 Years
|
|
People Aged ≥ 60 Years
|
|
Total
|
|
1st Dose
|
|
202
|
|
1290
|
|
2861405
|
|
692692
|
|
299998
|
|
3855587
|
|
2nd Dose
|
|
13478
|
|
51181
|
|
679966
|
|
491039
|
|
245791
|
|
1481455
The vaccination exercise as a tool to protect the most vulnerable population groups in the country from COVID-19 continues to be regularly reviewed and monitored at the highest level.